Best Ceramic Cookware Reviews

We know which foods are healthy, which foods to eat in moderation, and which foods to avoid… not to say we always listen to the advice we’ve been given!

So say you only eat healthy, food.

Even if we were to eat roasted veggies and lean meet for every meal, there are always concerns about the health of what we put in our bodies.

What are we cooking our food on/in? Are we using non-stick pots and pans? Have we even looked into ceramic cookware?

In college I had no idea non-stick pans were unhealthy to cook food in.

I loved cooking on them because I could fry an egg with minimal oil and run out the door to catch class. They make cooking/cleaning a breeze.

My roommate had a cast iron skillet – and cooking an egg on it was such a pain! My 5 minute routine quickly turned into a 30min detour.

As with everything in life, this shortcut has a consequence.

Although the subject is rarely talked about, results from studies on cooking in non-stick pots/pans are alarming and consequential. Don’t fret, there are non-toxic alternatives out there!

Below is an easy guide to walk you through the safety, cleaning and purchasing process of healthier products to match your healthy lifestyle.

Ultimate Guide to Ceramic Cookware

Let me save you some time… I’ve spent hours researching and made some pretty bad purchases just to help put together this guide on ceramic cookware (ok minor exaggeration but at least I can help you!).

If you are looking for something specific in this article, please refer to our table of contents:

Why I Switched to Ceramic Cookware

We all know nonstick pans have a coating on them (duh… this is why food doesn’t stick to them).

And we can obviously piece together that this coating is made of chemicals.

The actual chemicals are “PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), which are used to make grease-resistant food packaging and stain-resistant clothing as well. Even though there are many names, what you can take to the bank is that if it is non-stick it has some type of fluoride-impregnated coating that is providing the slipperiness” (Dr. Mercola).

The concern is heating nonstick pans. Unlike other chemicals, PFOAs & PFCs begin to breakdown and release toxins once they hit a temperature of 500 degrees.

Although this sounds extremely high, and a temperature you would never hit, you’d be surprised…

According to The Good Housekeeping Institute, this temperature can be reached within seconds. They stated that it takes only 2.5 minutes for 2 tablespoons of oil to hit a dangerous temperature, and 8.5 minutes for a hamburger to.

The scariest part is that the toxins being released infiltrate the food being cooked on the nonstick surface, and they release toxins into the air.

According to Dr. Axe, 98% of Americans have PFOA’s in their bodies. And although all of these studies have been done, “70% of cookware bought in the United States is non-stick”(Dr. Mercola).

What do these chemicals do to our bodies?

According to Dr. Oz, “These chemicals can block the action of estrogen in our bodies (possibly damaging fertility), harm your lungs and have even been known to kill pet birds whose cages were kept in kitchens.”

Is Ceramic Cookware Safe?

Over the years I’ve experimented with cooking on several nontoxic surfaces. There are quite a few options out there but after being fooled by nonstick for so long I had to do my research!

Is ceramic cookware safe? Are cast iron skillets safe?

After reading and using several options. I landed on ceramic cookware. It was the best option for me because:

It’s surface is nontoxic and doesn’t leach any chemicals when cooking in it

Easy to clean

Not too heavy

The cookware seems to be extremely goof-proof – no matter how many times I bang it on my stove or hit my spoon on the bottom when stirring, it doesn’t seem to scratch or crack

It can be heated to extremely high temperatures and run under cold water! (Dr. Axe)

What About Ceramic Coated Cookware?

When purchasing ceramic cookware I always steer clear from ceramic coated cookware. Even though they are coated in ceramic, the base is typically made of aluminum.

According to Xtrema, a ceramic cookware company, “So far no company to date has published their laboratory testing results for chemical components or metal leaching on these new ceramic non-stick coatings. There is no documented proof that these new ceramic coatings are 100% durable, safe and non-toxic”

Why am I concerned that the base material of ceramic coated cookware is typically aluminum?

According to this article: “Aluminum cookware is one of the most common cookware to use, but can be very toxic as this heavy metal is absorbed into all food cooked in it. The aluminum released into foods during cooking ends up in your body. Excess aluminum has been associated with estrogen-driven cancers and Alzheimer’s Disease. ”

All this is why I stay away from ceramic coated cookware and go with the best of the best ceramic cookware…

In My Opinion, the Best Ceramic Cookware & Stoneware

Although I haven’t been able to experiment with each and every brand’s products, I have read extensively and hope to someday try everything out! Below is a list of the best ceramic cookware options based on my research and experimentation, however if you have tried something different that you love, let me know in the comments below!

Xtrema: The handcrafted Xtrema products are said to be “healthiest for you and our planet. We also have and will continue to develop new and innovative ceramic products that will continue to be the finest, safest and most versatile cooking alternatives”. The ceramic glaze they use on their products is nontoxic and scratch proof! They are said to be dishwasher and microwave safe, however I always hand wash mine just to be in case. Although their cookware may be a little more expensive, the handcrafted quality and eco-friendly awareness in their products makes it worth it! Here are a few of my favorites from them:

Emile Henry: This company has been creating ceramic cookware since 1850! It is still owned and operated by the Henry family in Burgundy France. They differentiate themselves by using Burgundy clay, which they say is a “high resistance oven ceramic” and their products are “direct freezer-to-oven. They exhibit extraordinary thermal shock properties”. Emile Henry products are also said to be microwave and dishwasher safe. I primarily use these products for baking or anything going in the oven, I find they have the sizes/products I like to use!

Le Creuset: Although a large part of their collection is enamel coated cast iron, they also make a collection of stoneware products. Stoneware is one of the 3 forms of traditional ceramics (source) and is known for its strength. I grew up using Le Creuset products and love the sizes their dishes come in. For the foodies out there, who hasn’t enjoyed something baked in their Cocottes before?

Rachel Ray: Her newly released stoneware line is so cute, and practical! I love cooking in these because when I serve dinner to family/friends I can keep the food in the dish and it still look adorable.

This is my absolute favorite skillet! It was the first purchase I made that helped me no longer miss nonstick! It comes in 4 convenient sizes (6.5″, 9.5″, 10″ & 12″).

Ceramic Pots and Pans

As you know, many companies sell a more affordable option for a basic kitchen set. In the set you will typically find all the ceramic pots and pans you need! My favorite of these is the 14 Piece Black Versa 100% Ceramic Cookware Set. It comes with pots, pans, lids and handles in practical shapes and sizes.

How to Clean Ceramic Cookware

Most ceramic cookware can go directly in the dishwasher. I however have always been worried about this (I’m probably just being over cautious).

As you know by now, ceramic cookware tends to be on the expensive side, and I don’t want my laziness to ruin these purchases! I hand wash. The ceramic glaze makes it easy to get items off the surface.

Additional cookware options

If ceramic cookware isn’t your thing, out of your price range, or you are looking for additional alternatives I would suggest the following options:

Cast Iron – I love cooking in my cast iron skillet, and find it the best surface to fry or cook meat in. Cast iron also adds iron into your diet! The downside to cooking in cast iron is it tends to be harder to clean, and need to be seasoned every so often. In addition you can’t cook tomato products and other highly acidic food in this pan until it has been well seasoned over time (Source).

Stainless Steal – This is a great option, however I hate using it! Stainless steal is made from iron (which our bodies need) then coated with chromium (which also benefits our bodies). Therefore any leaching that occurs doesn’t harm us (unless our bodies receive either in excess) (Source). I don’t like stainless steal because it takes forever to clean compared to alternative options. Cooking food at high heat or for too long periods of time in these pans requires some serious scrubbing!

Glass Cookware – Glass cookware may not be the most versatile of options, but I love using this for cooking anything in the oven. The great part about glass is it typically comes with an adjoining lid to store food after you have baked and cooled a dish.

Ceramic Cookware Infographic

Here is an infographic on safe cookware to help sum up everything we just discussed:

Do you ever cook with ceramic cookware? If not, what do you typically cook your food in? Leave a comment below 🙂

Content found on the Little Pine is meant for entertainment purposes only. We are not dietitians, nutritionists, or medical professionals. The information we share is based on facts, research, and experiences, and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any disease. Please refer to your doctor.